Neighbors battle in Valley Tech-Nipmuc

Friday

Sep 28, 2007 at 6:00 AM

By Jim Wilson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

It gives new meaning to the term “crosstown rivals.”

At 1 p.m. tomorrow at Edward Postma Memorial Field at Valley Tech, the Beavers will host Nipmuc Regional. Conveniently, the schools are located about a first down from each other on Pleasant Street in Upton.

Valley Tech has had a program for eight years while Nipmuc has been around for five, but this is the first year the teams will get together for a game. The Beavers draw students from 13 area towns, including Mendon and Upton, which comprise Nipmuc Regional. Because it’s common for some families to have students at both schools, there will be other activities associated with the game, which is also Nipmuc’s Homecoming. The schools will compete in a cross country meet at 11 a.m.

The Warriors have responded well from an opening-night overtime loss to Shepherd Hill, defeating Leicester, 49-21, and downing Uxbridge, 35-0. As expected, the Nipmuc offense has been potent, led by quarterback Willie Kempton and receiver Brandon Bishop. Kempton tops Central Mass. in passing with 642 yards (36 of 63) and Bishop leads all receivers in Central Mass. with 409 yards on 21 catches. Fullback Korey Tancrell has rushed for 153 yards and five TDs while Kyle Veinotte has 142 yards

Meanwhile, Valley Tech won its first two games by a combined score of 51-0, and defeated Monty Tech, 42-14, last week. While Nipmuc favors an air attack, the Beavers grind it with their ground game, led by Dan Allard, who is third in Central Mass. rushing with 429 yards on 35 carries, and Bob Pizzarelli. Quarterback Aaron Sweder has passed for more than 200 yards, so it’s not solely the run.

It’s safe to say that Shrewsbury High has been counting down the days until tonight.

Last year, the Colonials lost to St. John’s, 14-7, and the key moment was when the Pioneers stymied Shrewsbury on four consecutive plays in the fourth quarter at the St. John’s 1-yard line.

“We ran four different plays each time,” Shrewsbury coach Terry Walles said. “We just couldn’t get it in.”

A year later, Shrewsbury has returned a talented team and should be even more prepared for St. John’s. In a rare occurrence, the Colonials’ defense actually has outscored itself, accounting for 18 of Shrewsbury’s 70 points and letting up just 13. Walles knows if there ever was a year to end the drought against the Pioneers, which stretches nearly 20 years, this is it.

However, the Pioneers are coming off a big win over previously undefeated Algonquin Regional, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points.

In fact, the Pioneers had to mount second-half surges to win all three of their games this year. St. John’s scored twice in the third quarter to get past Holy Name, then scored 22 unanswered points in the third quarter after falling behind Doherty, 8-7.

Two young teams are looking for their first wins of the season as Grafton High plays at Quabbin Regional at 7 tonight.

Both teams went 3-8 last year and Quabbin hasn’t had the easiest schedule so far, facing Narragansett, Northbridge and Shepherd Hill, while Grafton has played Northbridge, Littleton and David Prouty.